The Parents’ Choice Awards is a non-profit and has been evaluating children’s media since 1978. The evaluation committees look for fun and educational stuff that sparks the imagination. Following are the winning games and puzzles for preschoolers (ages 2-5).
Silver Honors
Dr. Seuss What’s in the Cat’s Hat
by The Wonder Forge
List Price: $19.99
For Ages: 3 and up
Put a household object in the hat, and then guess what it is by asking questions or investigating with your senses as prompted by the cards.
Giant Discovery Puzzles Pony Stud, Orchard, and Construction Site
by Haba
List Price: $17.00 each
For Ages: 3 and up
Put a household object in the hat, and then guess what it is by asking questions or investigating with your senses as prompted by the cards.
Recommended
Pigzup
by Blue Orange Games
List Price: $19.99
For Ages: 4 and up
Find matching cards, then race to stack up your piggies. Fast-paced and fun.
Pop Goes Froggio
by Hasbro
List Price: $16.99
For Ages: 3 and up
Active game where players run around the room looking for matching character cards – whoever finds one jumps on the lily pad to launch froggio in the air.
Sturdy Birdy
by Fat Brain Toys
List Price: $19.95
For Ages: 5 and up
Players attempt to copy Sturdy Birdy’s poses. Comes with dice, bean bags, and illustrated posing cards.
P’kolino multi-solution puzzles
by P’kolino
List Price: $19.99
For Ages: 2 and up
The pieces in these puzzles can be arranged to create variations on the picture. Also available in other styles.
Approved
Moo & Baa Game
by Haba
List Price: $20.00
For Ages: 3 and up
Draw an animal figure from the bag and match it to your card. It’s a simple game that’s a lot like bingo, but the instructions include more difficult variations.
Arranging Game Corner to Corner
by Haba
List Price: $33.00
For Ages: 3 and up
High quaility pieces can be used to create complicated creations. Comes with building suggestions kids can recreate.
Chimp and Zee Shopping Cart Dash
by Pressman Toy
List Price: $15.00
For Ages: 3 and up
Race down the shopping aisles and collect the items on your list. Paying for the pretend groceries provides an opportunity for math practice.
It’s a Pair
by Alex Toys
List Price: $11.99
For Ages: 3 to 5
Simple matching game that was apparently selected for its “slim packaging,” despite the poor impression the game made on its testers.
Little Hand Puzzles – Animals, Farm, and Construction
by Haba
List Price: $14.00 each
For Ages: 2 and up
Each set comes with six sturdy puzzles and a figure for imaginative play.
Since Preschool Universe is all about, well, preschoolers, I have only listed the winners that are recommended for kids two through five years of age. To see the complete list of Parents’ Choice Awards winners, please visit their website.
